For a long-suffering Toronto FC fan base, it was history. For Sebastian Giovinco, it was about time. Toronto FC scored its first playoff goal in franchise history and advanced past the knockout round for the first time. Toronto will now face New York City FC in the conference semifinals in a match pitting a large majority of the league’s major star power.
On a week when MLS announced record-setting attendance numbers for the 2016 season, BMO Field was a cauldron to kick off the 2016 MLS Playoffs. Toronto were heavy favorites at home as the three seed. However, this was a rejuvenated Union side featuring Andre Blake, Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Pontius.
But Toronto’s big names combined to give them the early lead. Jozy Altidore provided an audacious flick in the face of an onrushing Blake, and Giovinco was on hand to clip his finish high into the net.
That @JozyAltidore Giovinco connection.#TORvPHI https://t.co/mzze7dqGQR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 27, 2016
Jonathan Osorio doubled Toronto’s lead early in the second half off a Giovinco corner. For the Union, giving up a second goal from a set piece just minutes after the restart could’ve been devastating.
Osorio going "Back to Back" #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/jhGVBH9Foo
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) October 27, 2016
In the 73rd minute, the Union grabbed a lifeline off a set piece of their own. Bedoya capitalized on Toronto’s inability to clear the danger, smashing his shot home from a few yards out.
The @PhilaUnion have life!@AleBedoya17 cuts the lead in half. #TORvPHI https://t.co/ozp8BJBShr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 27, 2016
But Toronto finished off the match in the 85th minute. Altidore sent Giovinco racing down the right-hand side of the pitch, but the Italian’s first touch uncharacteristically let him down. The chance appeared over, but Giovinco looked up and picked out Altidore at the far post. The Union should’ve been able to clear, but Altidore capitalized to effectively finish the match.
Altidore scores and it gets rowdy! #TORvPHI pic.twitter.com/G8sOKYPwIx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 27, 2016
Toronto will play New York City at BMO Field in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday, October 30th.
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